Ground improvement

Ground improvement techniques are used to prepare the ground for new construction projects and to reduce the risk of liquefaction in areas of seismic activity.

Keller was the first to develop methods and equipment for the successful deep compaction of soil in the 1930s and has since developed the equipment and widened its application. Common soil stabilization techniques include a combination of vibro-compaction with stone, concrete or lime columns as well as soil mixing and injection systems. These techniques, some of which are show below, have been used by Keller to improve many thousands of sites around the world, from housing projects to power plants, from dam foundation to industrial and commercial developments.

Vibro-Compaction

A site improvement technique for granular material, Vibro-Compaction uses company-designed probe-type vibrators to densify soils to depths of up to 120 feet. Vibro-Compaction increases bearing capacity for shallow-footing construction, reduces settlements and also mitigates liquefaction potential in seismic areas.

Vibro Concrete Columns

Very weak, cohesive and organic soils that are not suitable for standard Vibro techniques can be improved by the installation of Vibro Concrete Columns. Beneath large area loads, Vibro Concrete Columns reduce settlement, increase bearing capacity, and increase slope stability.

Dynamic Deep Compaction

Dynamic Deep Compaction is an economic site improvement technique used to treat a range of porous soil types and permit shallow, spread footing construction. Soils are densified at depth by the controlled impact of a crane-hoisted, heavy weight (15-35 tons) on the ground surface in a pre-determined grid pattern. Dynamic Deep Compaction is also successful in densifing landfill material for the highway construction of recreational landscaping.

Soil Mixing

Typically used in soft soils, the soil mixing technique relies on the introduction of an engineered grout material to either create a soil-cement matrix for soil stabilization, or to form subsurface structural elements to support earth or building loads. Soil mixing can be accomplished by many methods, with a wide range of mixing tools and tool configurations available.

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